Scarpa Ion (Spring 2014)

The Dirt: Fans of the Scarpa Spark will enjoy its closely related brethren, the Ion, which blends many of the popular elements of the Spark—bomber tread and a middle-of-the-road heel-to-toe drop—with a beefier rock plate.

The upper offers burly, lateral overlays for running uneven terrain, including talus slopes, and the 1.2-mm high-density rock plate will, in the words of one tester, “protect your feet like a tank.”

A well-designed, integrated gaiter over the midfoot keeps out trail debris, and adds some warmth for cold-weather runs.

Best For: Medium-distance runs on moderate to highly technical terrain, in conditions ranging from mud to snow to scree.